Washing Machine Features

All washing machines are made to wash clothes.  But different features set them apart.  Washing machines can be divided into two categories, front loaders and top loaders. As the names imply, the front loaders have a door on the front and a drum mounted horizontally, whereas top loaders have a lid on top of the machine and a drum mounted vertically.
Top loaders are generally cheaper than front loaders and there is wider variety of them available.  Some advantages of a top loader are that it is possible to throw in last minute clothes after the wash cycle has already started, and they usually wash clothes faster.
Advantages of front loaders are that they tend to go easier on clothes than a top loader and they are generally more energy efficient. Another advantage is that, because the door opens frontward the machine can be placed in a slot in a custom made closet or a dryer or cupboard can be stacked on top or above it; a definite plus if space is an issue.
All washing machines have several wash cycles to choose from, and though the normal cycle for a top loader is usually faster than that of a front loader, most front loaders also have a fast wash cycle option.
Washing machine spin speeds vary; they are faster for cotton clothes and slower for synthetics and delicates.  Logically, the faster the spin speed, the more water drains from the clothing, and the drier the clothes come out of the machine.  Machines that can wash greater capacities tend to have higher spin speeds.
Washing machine capacities vary both in top and front loaders.  A 6 kg capacity is about right for an average family load.
Most machines have a variety of pre-set wash programs and wash actions, customized for a variety of materials (such as cotton, permanent press or delicate fabrics) and load sizes. Some models have button controlled digital settings, others have dials. Most washing machine models come with at least three sets of wash settings and water levels: low, medium, and full.